Standardized Scoring: The officer is taught to be objective in the scoring. The driver should receive one point for each clue of intoxication. Once again, there should be only one point per clue regardless of the number of times that clue is shown.

The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test (follow my finger)

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus is medical condition that involves an involuntary reaction of the muscles that control eye movement resulting in “twitching or jerking” of the eye. It is not caused by alcohol but alcohol is known to cause it to be more apparent when an examination of the eye is conducted and the subject has consumed enough alcohol to affect those particular muscle groups. This jerking of the eye is measured by conducting three examinations.

The officer tries to measure the angle of onset of the nystagmus. This is the angle at which the eye begins jerking

The officer tries to determine whether the nystagmus becomes distinct if the eye is moved to its maximum limit

The officer will look for a lack of smooth pursuit; that is, the eye jumps or jerks rather than following a moving object smoothly

Proper Administration: The officer is instructed to give these instructions:

The officer will hold the “stimulus” (pen, penlight) 12-15 inches in front of the driver’s face;

keep the tip of the stimulus slightly above the driver’s eyes;

the officer should try to move the stimulus smoothly;

the officer should always check for all 3 clues in both eyes;

The officer will check twice in each eye for the clues. The sequence should be: lack of smooth pursuit; distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation; onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees.

Standardized Clues: The clues recognized by NHTSA as valid indicators of horizontal gaze nystagmus are as follows:

Lack of smooth pursuit

Distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation

Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees

Standardized Scoring: One clue is to be given for each indicia manifested by the driver. There are six clues (three for each eye) of HGN, a score of 4 is considered unsatisfactory

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